Drum & Barrel Pumps
Empty drums and IBCs cleanly, quickly, and without leaks. We engineer sealless centrifugal tube sets for water-like chemicals and progressive cavity drum pumps when fluids get thick, shear-sensitive, or particulate-laden. Options include explosion-proof motors, air motors, sanitary designs, and full hose/nozzle/grounding kits.
- Sealless wetted path keeps product out of motors; fast tube swaps by operator
- PC drum pumps move viscous syrups, oils, resins, lotions, slurries up to very high cP
- ATEX/XP rated air/electric motors for flammable solvents & classified areas
- Sanitary options with tri-clamps, polished wetted parts, and easy teardown
Manufacturers We Represent for Drum & Barrel
Featured Drum & Barrel Products
What Makes Drum & Barrel Different (and When It Beats Other Pumps)
How Drum Pumps Work
- Sealless tube slips through the bung; an internal rotor/impeller moves fluid up the tube.
- Motors—air, TEFC, or explosion-proof—quick-couple to multiple tube materials/lengths.
- Progressive cavity tubes provide positive displacement for high viscosity & low shear.
Where Drum & Barrel Wins
- IBC & 55-gallon unloading: portable, quick setup, no wetted mechanical seal
- Flammable solvents: XP/ATEX motors + conductive hoses & grounding kits
- High-viscosity products: PC tubes for syrups, oils, creams, resins, slurries
- Sanitary transfers: tri-clamp, polished internals, easy teardown & cleaning
Best-Fit Drum Pump Configurations by Service
| Service | Ideal Configuration | Recommended Brands | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosives & oxidizers (acids, hypochlorite) | PP/PVDF tube, Hastelloy shaft; sealless centrifugal | Finish Thompson • Flux | Top chemical compatibility with simple maintenance |
| Flammable solvents | 316SS tube with XP/ATEX electric or air motor; conductive hose & ground | Finish Thompson • Flux • Graco | Safe in classified areas with proper bonding/grounding |
| High-viscosity (oils, creams, resins) | Progressive cavity (PC) drum pump, variable speed | Netzsch • Flux • Finish Thompson | Positive displacement handles thick, shear-sensitive media |
| Sanitary / food & personal care | Polished SS, tri-clamp connections, FDA elastomers | Flux • Finish Thompson • Netzsch | Fast teardown, cleanability, gentle transfer |
| Harsh duty / portable utility | Air motor with PP/PVDF tube; quick-connect hose/nozzle kit | Finish Thompson | Air drive is simple, cool-running, and intrinsically safe |
Sizing inputs: fluid SDS (chemistry/temp/SG/viscosity), container type (drum/IBC), target flow, hose length/ID, sanitary/ATEX requirements.
Materials & Performance
Wetted & Motor Options
- Tubes: PP, PVDF, 316SS, Hastelloy; lengths for 55-gal drums & IBCs
- Motors: air, TEFC, variable-speed, XP/ATEX electric
- Seals: sealless centrifugal design; PC stators in NBR/EPDM/FKM/FEP
Real-World Ranges
- Flow: ~5–40+ GPM (centrifugal tubes) • up to similar rates on PC per model
- Viscosity: water-like with centrifugal; very high cP with PC tubes
- Temp: per material—PVDF/SS for higher temps; verify SDS & tube rating
Accessories That Make Drum Transfers Safer & Faster
- Grounding & bonding: cables for XP/ATEX solvent duty
- Hose/nozzle kits: chemical-rated hoses, anti-drainback nozzles, cam-locks
- Bung adapters: secure tube alignment, quick install/removal
- Flow control: variable-speed drives, air regulators, inline meters
- Sanitary: tri-clamp ends, polished tubes, FDA elastomers, cleaning brushes
Drum Pumps vs. Other Common Pump Types
| Use Case | Drum/Barrel | AODD | Peristaltic | Gear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portable drum/IBC transfer | Excellent | Good (heavier; air req.) | Good (hose wear) | Fair (setup/priming) |
| High viscosity | Great (PC tube) | Fair/Good | Great | Great (clean oils) |
| Flammable solvents (XP/ATEX) | Available | Available | Available | Available |
| Sanitary changeover | Excellent | Good | Good | Limited |
| Cost to own | Low (few wear parts) | Low/Med (air) | Med (hose consumable) | Low (clean fluids) |
What We Need to Size Your Drum Pump (5-Minute Worksheet)
- Container: 55-gal drum or IBC; bung/thread type; pick-up tube reach
- Fluid: SDS, SG/viscosity, temperature, abrasiveness, flammability
- Target: desired GPM and hose run; discharge connection type
- Environment: sanitary requirement, XP/ATEX class/division/zone
- Power: air vs. electric, voltage/phase, need for variable speed
Top Drum & Barrel Lines We Stock (Placeholders)
Send your fluid and container details—we’ll return the correct tube material/length, motor choice, hose/nozzle, and safety kit.
Need a Clean, Safe Drum Unloading Kit—Fast?
We’ll match tube material & length, motor type, hose/nozzle, and safety grounding so your operators stay safe and productive.
Drum & Barrel Pump FAQs
Which tube material should I pick—PP, PVDF, or stainless?
PP covers many non-oxidizing chemicals at ambient temps; PVDF widens compatibility and temperature; 316SS is preferred for solvents, sanitary, and higher temps. We confirm against your SDS.
Can I pump flammable solvents from drums?
Yes—with XP/ATEX rated motors, conductive hose, proper bonding/grounding, and compatible tube materials. Air motors are common for classified areas.
How thick a fluid can a drum pump handle?
Centrifugal tubes like water-like viscosities; for thick syrups, oils, creams, or slurries use a progressive cavity drum pump with variable speed to maintain flow without shear.
Can one motor run multiple tubes?
Often yes—manufacturers offer quick-connect motors that swap between PP/PVDF/SS tubes and lengths. We’ll verify compatibility and duty ratings.
What comes in a complete kit?
Typically a tube, motor, hose/nozzle, bung adapter, and (for solvents) bonding/grounding cables. Add a meter or batch controller if you need measured dispensing.